Patient Lift Buying Guide 2026: Hoyer vs Sit-to-Stand for Home Care

What is the best patient lift for home use? If you're caring for someone who can no longer stand or transfer on their own, every move from bed to chair can feel risky, for them and for your back. A patient lift takes the strain out of transfers and makes falls far less likely. The hard part is knowing which type to buy. This guide walks you through it step by step, in plain English.

At Selected Comfort, we help families and care teams choose safe transfer equipment from Hoyer, Lumex, Bestcare and MaxiCare. You can browse every model in our patient lift collection, and every lift ships free.

The 4 types of patient lift

There are four main types of patient lift: full-body sling lifts, sit-to-stand lifts, bariatric lifts and specialty lifts such as car transfer lifts. Each solves a different problem.

Swipe the table sideways on mobile. Prices from the Selected Comfort catalog, September 2026.

Hoyer lift vs sit-to-stand: which do you need?

Use a full-body (Hoyer) lift when the person cannot stand at all. Use a sit-to-stand lift when they can bear some weight, sit upright unaided and grip a handle. When in doubt, ask the person's physical or occupational therapist.

Full-body (Hoyer) lift

A full-body lift cradles the person in a sling hung from a spreader bar, then lifts them completely clear of the bed or chair. It is the right choice for people who are bed-bound, have very limited trunk control, or are recovering from a stroke or major surgery. Premium models such as the Hoyer Presence use a 6-point spreader bar so the person sits in a more natural, comfortable position.

Sit-to-stand lift

A sit-to-stand lift uses a strap around the back while the person's feet rest on a platform and their knees rest against a pad. It raises them to a standing position so you can move them to a toilet, commode or wheelchair. It's quicker for toileting and helps preserve leg strength. Popular choices include the Lumex LF2020 and the professional Hoyer Journey.

Electric vs hydraulic lifts

Electric lifts are the better choice for daily home use; hydraulic lifts suit tight budgets and occasional transfers.

• Hydraulic (manual): you pump a handle to raise the person and turn a valve to lower them. No charging needed, and the lowest cost, e.g. Lumex LF1030. It takes more effort and gives a less smooth ride.
• Electric (battery-powered): lift and lower at the push of a button, with both hands free to steady the person. Better for older caregivers, frequent transfers and heavier users, e.g. Lumex LF1050.
• Electric base: some lifts, such as the Hoyer Presence and Stature, also widen the legs electrically to get around wheelchairs and recliners.

Will it fit your home?

Before you buy, measure under the bed, across your doorways and around the bathroom. Most returns and frustrations come from a base that won't slide under the bed or fit through a door.

1. Bed clearance: measure from the floor to the lowest point under the bed frame. Most lift bases need roughly 4.5–6 inches.
2. Doorways: compare each doorway's width with the lift's closed base width and overall length.
3. Turning space: check the path from bed to chair, bathroom and living room, including carpets and thresholds.
4. Adjustable base: confirm the legs spread wide enough to go around a wheelchair, recliner or commode.
5. Storage and travel: if you'll take it to another home, consider a folding model like the Bestcare PL400EF.

Choosing the right sling

The sling is what actually holds the person, so its type and size matter as much as the lift. Many lifts are sold without a sling for this reason.

• Full-body (U-sling / cradle): head and full back support for people with little trunk control.
• Divided-leg: easiest to put on and take off while the person is seated.
• Toileting / hygiene: open seat for bathroom use; for people with good upper-body control only.
• Mesh / bathing: quick-drying for showers and pool use.

Check the sling's weight rating, confirm it matches the spreader bar (loop or clip, 2-, 4- or 6-point), and follow the manufacturer's size chart. Inspect straps and stitching before every use.

How much does a patient lift cost?

A home patient lift costs about $626 to $2,700 for most families, and $4,000 to $11,000 for professional and bariatric lifts with scales.

All lifts ship free, and financing is available on most orders.

Does Medicare cover patient lifts?

Yes. Medicare Part B covers patient lifts as durable medical equipment when your doctor prescribes one for use in your home. According to Medicare.gov, after you meet the Part B deductible you usually pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount, as long as your doctor and supplier are both enrolled in Medicare and the supplier accepts assignment.

Medicare-covered models can be limited, and approval takes time. If you plan to use Medicare, confirm coverage with your doctor and a Medicare-enrolled supplier first. Many families buy direct when they need a specific model, an electric lift, faster delivery, or a lift for a second home.

How to do a safe transfer

Always follow the lift manufacturer's manual and, ideally, get hands-on training from a nurse or therapist. The basics for a full-body transfer:

1. Explain each step to the person and lock the wheels of the bed or chair you're moving from.
2. Roll the person to position the sling correctly under them, then attach the sling to the spreader bar using the same color loops on both sides.
3. Raise the person just clear of the surface and pause to check that the sling is secure and they are comfortable.
4. Open the lift's base, move slowly with the person facing the mast, and don't lift higher than needed.
5. Position over the destination, lower gently, and remove the sling only once they are safely seated or lying down.

The bottom line

Start with one question: can the person bear weight? If not, choose a full-body lift, preferably electric for daily use. If they can, a sit-to-stand lift makes toileting and chair transfers quicker and helps keep them active.

Then check weight capacity, bed clearance and doorway widths, and buy the right sling. Those four checks prevent almost every problem families run into.

Frequently asked questions